Christa Gilbert creates history as Lyrics comes out on top in Derby

Trainer Christa Gilbert created a slice of Jersey racing history on Sunday as Aussie Lyrics won the island's most prestigious race, the La Vallette Jersey Derby, for the third time in a row.

Not since Whitworth (1983-85) had the contest staged at Les Landes fallen to the same horse in three consecutive runnings, and it was a thrilling battle, with Aussie Lyrics just edging out favourite Black Night.

"It was very tight," Gilbert said. "They came round the bottom bend together, there's a steep two-furlong climb and it was a battle all the way to the line. He just got his nose in front – he ran a blinder."

Alice Mills, who had a winner at Chepstow for Tony Carroll on Thursday, was in the saddle, and Gilbert added: "She's won on him before and rode a brilliant race."

Formerly trained by George Baker and then Fabrice Chappet, Aussie Lyrics could bid to win the race for a fourth time, as Gilbert said: "He's only seven and has a number of years ahead of him, so I don't see why not."

Gilbert has now won the Derby five times in the last six years – she did not have a runner when Rossetti won in 2014 – and is on course to land her first Jersey trainers' championship.

"We're leading the championship and the yard's been doing really well," she said.

"We'll see if we can maintain that lead for the remaining three meetings."